Anonymous
10-01-2006, 06:40 PM
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/ml...p&c_id=fla
Quote:MIAMI -- The season finale came and went Sunday afternoon for the Marlins, and there was still no definitive word on Joe Girardi's managerial future.
Following an emotional finish of a 3-2 win in 11 innings over the Phillies, the Marlins players celebrated on the field. Girardi got a big hug from third-base coach Bobby Meacham, and he was embraced by his players, including Dontrelle Willis.
Afterwards, Girardi expressed that he signed a three-year contract last October, and that he would like to see that through.
At 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday morning, Girardi will meet with Marlins management.
MLB.com received strong indications from sources on Sunday that Girardi will be dismissed at that time, and the team will turn quickly to Braves third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez as its first choice to be the next manager.
Gonzalez, who grew up in Miami, was Florida's third-base coach from 1999-2001, and he previously managed in the organization's Minor League system. He is regarded as the clear favorite to land the job, and a deal to secure him as manager could be finalized over the next few days.
Before Sunday's finale, Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest did not go into specifics about Girardi's future.
"I'm sure Joe and I will sit down," Beinfest said. "I think we'll wait till everything is over with, in fairness to the process for Joe and I to sit down."
Team owner Jeffrey Loria was not at the team's final homestand with the Reds and Phillies.
After Sunday's win, Girardi spoke to his team for a few minutes, congratulating them on an impressive season, which ended up at 78-84. The players applauded Girardi in an emotional exchange.
"It's about the players," Girardi said. "I'm still the manager of this club. It's a special group of kids. It's fun watching them."
Girardi said he wants to remain Florida's manager.
"I signed on for three years," he said. "I didn't sign on for one or two."
Monday is Yom Kippur and the Marlins are not expected to conduct any business that day.
"I'm going to observe the holiday Monday, and I know David Samson [team president] and Jeffrey are as well," Beinfest said. "I'm not sure there will be any business conducted on Monday."
While Girardi's future with the organization is in limbo, Beinfest praised the first-year manager and the development of the young squad.
"I think this team was prepared to play," Beinfest said. "They played hard every day. I think there was a winning attitude instilled here, and this team won a lot of games.
"I think Joe and his staff deserve a lot of credit for that. I would have to say, as far as the game managing, I thought it was good. Joe's a rookie and there can always be rookie mistakes. There can always be Monday-morning quarterbacking, but I think he did a good job."
A primary reason Girardi's status is in question is because he's had a rocky working relationship with the front office.
Asked how important it is for the general manager and manager to work together on major decisions, Beinfest said: "It's important."
Considering their inexperience and league-low $15 million payroll, the Marlins were perhaps the biggest surprise in the league in 2006. At one point, they were 11-31, but [the young club] made a dramatic turnaround, reaching .500 (68-68) on Sept. 3. On Sept. 11, they were 73-71 and two games out in the National League Wild Card standings.
Because of the dramatic turnaround, Girardi will be a strong candidate to win the NL Manager of the Year Award.
Many of the crowd of 36,768 at Sunday's game remained for all 11 innings, and afterwards they showed their appreciation for the team's performance and Girardi.
"I heard people say, 'Nice job,' and that's nice. I appreciate that," Girardi said. "The people in South Florida have been good to me. They've been very good to me."
Girardi has the support of many players. Willis says Girardi should be the Manager of the Year.
"He's here, as far as I'm concerned," Willis said. "Until I see something on the ticker, he's going to be our manager.
"I'm not going to get up and have no sleepless nights, and worry about that [if Girardi is dismissed]. I think he's done a great job for us. We responded to him, and that's it."